Gareth Southgate was said to see the United States as his next possible management destination and could complete an English takeover of the US national team alongside Emma Hayes .
While the search for Gregg Berhalter’s replacement continues for the USMNT , an ideal replacement may have just landed in their laps. After guiding England to a second consecutive European Championship final at Euro 2024, Southgate’s resignation from his role as England manager was announced on Tuesday.
The 53-year-old led England to a World Cup semi-final for the first time since 1990 in his first tournament in charge after the Three Lions suffered their worst embarrassment in Euro 2016 – being dumped out by Iceland. Southgate oversaw a major change in personnel and fortunes from a previously broken England team, as they came runners-up at Euro 2020 before a controversial exit at the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals to eventual beaten finalists France.
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During that tournament in Qatar, Rebecca Lowe appeared on an episode of Men in Blazers where she discussed Southgate’s potential future as the manager of the USMNT, she said: “Actually I’ve heard all sorts of thoughts about apparently he does quite like the United States as a next destination, whether that be Major League Soccer or –“ before she was cut off by discussion over Southgate’s attire.
If Southgate is to be considered for the vacant position, he could form an English takeover of the US’ soccer teams with former Chelsea Women’s boss Hayes , who was confirmed to have taken the USWNT job after the 2023/24 Women’s Super League season finished in England. Hayes arrives with an incredible winning record in club soccer having lifted seven WSL titles and five Women’s FA Cups.
Though Southgate’s management trophy cabinet remains empty, his ability to transform a broken England national team from a side that in the eight years prior to his appointment had failed to qualify for Euro 2008, endured awful runs at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups – failing to even qualify from the group stage in Brazil, and had been lackluster in a Euro 2012 campaign before the ultimate humiliation of Euro 2016. Southgate's rein, however, saw the Three Lions reach two finals, a semi-final and a quarter-final in his four tournaments in charge.
Southgate’s seeming impeccable man management to grow such a revitalized squad and support for the national team in England could be exactly what the United States needs following their Copa America misery and with the home 2026 World Cup fast approaching.
Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Kopp was approached for the position of USMNT head coach but rejected the offer having previously stating his intention to take a sabbatical away from soccer after nine-and-a-half-years at Anfield.
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